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Tale of a Far Away Land
Night fell on HopeCity. Down sank the sun, taking with it
all rays of light. Soon, the Beacon of Hope stood bathed in darkness against
an even darker sky. Aesthetics filed into all rooms of the Beacon, lighting
candles and torches, trying to banish the darkness away for a time. One of the
Aesthitics came into the library, and found Caramon asleep at a table. Books
lay open and papers were strewn all over the table and floor. The Aesthetic
lit a few torches that hung in iron sconces upon the walls, and walked over to
the sleeping knight. Gently he placed hs hand upon Caramon's shoulder and bid
him wake. Caramon, exhausted with the journey, had fallen asleep since his
arrival at the Beacon. Sudden realization that he had fallen asleep hit him
like a smack upon his face, waking him fully. Caramon nodded his thanks to the
Aesthetic and gathered his papers from the floor, rolling them up and placing
them in a container. Gathering his things, Caramon headed to the window and
looked out over the peaceful city of Hope. He stood there, unmoving.
Remembering...
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"Caramon Majere, you have been brought forth before this Council to prove
your worthiness in carrying the title 'Knight of Hope'. Do you find yourself
worthy?"
Luthien Turnivel. Elf. Eldest of the Istari. Founder of HopeCity. She sat
before the young squire, as he knelt before her. His sword, his father's
sword, lay before Luthien upon the table, bathed in black roses. Luthien
placed her hand upon the swords hilt, admiring the jewels beset in the pommel.
She eyed the ancient runes engraved upon sheath, unable to read them. Legend
had it that this sword had been passed from father to son throughout many
generations, finally making it's way into Caramon's hands. Also, it is said
that the blade would never break unless the master broke. It was a fine piece
of steel, worthy of a Knight. Luthien smiled to herself. More like the Knight
is worthy of it.
Caramon, kneeling before the Council of Hope, wore the white robes of a man
who has been in prayer all night. He knelt out of respect for those above him.
Pulling his hood back over his face, his eyes darted directly to the table in
front of him. Tears filled his eyes, as he took sight of his fathers sword
covered in black roses. Fighting back his tears, he resolved not to let anyone
see him weak.
"No Mistress. I am not worthy of being a Knight. But, given the chance, I
will in time make myself worthy."
Luthien smiled at Caramon. Seeing the smile on her face, and on those around
her, he wondered exactly what was going on. He had fasted and prayed for four
nights in the Tower, as was customary. He was brought forth before the
Council, to receive what he thought was his knighting. But, the sword alone
told the tale. Black Roses. The symbol of one rejected, cast out from the
knighthood.
"Rise Caramon. Rise and prove your worth!" shouted Luthien. Myschief
sat to Luthien's left, silent through the whole thing. She rose to her feet
and started chanting words of power. Behind Caramon gathered mists, then
water, and finally a being of the water stood not ten feet away from him.
Centurio sat at Luthien's right. He too stood, and started the chants to bring
forth an elemental being. A searing hot pain shot through Caramons shoulder as
a fire elemental withdrew it's deadly touch.
"Let begin the Trial of Valor!"
Caramon jumped up and retreated a few steps. Closing his eyes, he began to
form the words to a spell in his mind. Opening his eyes, he chanted In Flam
Grav! A field of fire arose from the floor of stone and surrounded the
elementals. The water elemental had no chance of survival against the wall of
fire and quickly dissipated. Caramon reached back, and felt the cold cool
steel of his sword hilt pressed into his hand. With renewed energy he fought
forth, battling the being of fire. Soon it was quiet, both elementals taken
care of.
"Very impressive Caramon. The Fire Field was a nice touch. No one has
ever done that before. Now, Prepare for the Trial of Survival!" Luthien
chanted words of power, and a portal of the deepest black opened. Caramon
looked in, afraid of what he might see. Stepping through was a monster of
gigantic size. It's shining red skin glistened with beads of sweat. Without
warning, the Daemon threw an object at Caramon, nearly relieving him of his
head. Caramon dodged the attack and stood waiting for the monster's next move.
Attack and parry, parry and attack. This went on for what seemed like hours,
but in actuality was only four minutes. Caramon layed before the monster,
ready for the crushing blow that would mark his failure and death. The
monstrous arm descended. Caramon shielded his head with his arm and awaited,
even welcomed death. For death would be far more preferrable than failure. But
the blow never came. With a shriek and howl of fury, a black portal opened,
and drew the Daemon back within, to the bowels of the Abyss.
Lowering his arm from his face, expecting to see another demon, Caramon looked
directly into the eyes of Luthien. She helped him stand, but Caramon
immediately fell to one knee.
"Forgive me Mistress. I have failed you... and I accept this
failure."
"No Caramon. You did not fail. The Trial of Valor is a test to push you
past your normal body limits, to show that you can go beyond what you
previously thought you couldnt endure. Hence the requirement for fasting and
prayer. The Trial of Survival was meant for you to see that sometimes, even
the greatest of warriors cannot win all of the time, and that escape is
tolerable. For if you flee and live, you live to fight another day. Yes, you
could have fought the Daemon. But, would you have won? *Luthien shrugs
nonchalantly* Mayhaps. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of Valor. Now,
rise Caramon Majere, Knight of Hope... and give an old friend a hug!"
Caramon, weary from the trials, and shocked by this testimony, rose unsteadily
to his feet. He turned to face Luthien, and was received in a warm embrace and
cheers from all around him. Pushing himself away from her, Caramon made his
way back to the table where his sword had lain. Picking up one of the black
roses, he shoved it into the belt of his robe.
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Caramon smiled to himself, remembering his test. The test is difficult to
pass, and failure means death. The test is designed to weed out those
incompitent and those that would misuse their power. The test is different for
everyone, sometimes taking place in the supplicant's mind, or in trials of
battle, as was Caramon's. But, he had passed. And, he continued to rise
through the ranks until this day. He was commander of the Knights of Hope. He
had served Hope faithfully, and Luthien loyaly. Now, she was gone. Dead for
all they knew. But, he wouldnt rest until they had found the answers.
Caramon turned from the window, and made his way through the door and down the
narrow candlelit hallway. He could hear voices in the room down the hall. This
was the room he would make his way to. The War Room. Reaching the door,
Caramon sent a prayer to whatever god was out there and listening. He pushed
on the door and it gave way easily, sliding on well oiled hinges into the
room. Silence fell except for the shuffling of feet as the others in the room
rose to their feet. Caramon entered silently and looked to all the faces in
the room. Dean and Molly stood side by side, the newlyweds hands locked. Next
to them came Logan, Lonewolfe, John, Lonestar, and heading up that side was
Centurio. Down the other side of the room stood Skie Leigh, Caramon's fiance,
next to her stood Marcus and Myschief, and bringing up the end was Alexander
Taras. All were close friends, for all had helped each other through tight
spots. These eleven made up the city's council, along with Caramon and the
absent Luthien. The city had prospered under their leadership, and Caramon was
strong in his faith in them to help bring Luthien home safe, if she still
existed.
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**Editor's note - The Council meeting took place and all decided to head to
Smogg's lair for a final battle with the necromancer. The Council meeting is
inconsiquential, so I omitted it. The next part will focus on the final
battle. Look for it to be long and action packed. Also be ready for a stunning
conclusion in the first chapter of The Rise and Fall of Hope!!**
Final
Battle--Part 3
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